Manchester United’s cost-cutting begins to show as operating profit rises | OneFootball

Manchester United have offered the clearest picture yet of their financial reset under Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, as the club’s first-quarter results show the impact of widespread cost-cutting, and a return to operating profit, during a period of structural change at Old Trafford.

Released on Thursday, the figures confirm a modest dip in revenue, falling two per cent year-on-year from £143.1m to £140.3m across commercial, broadcast and matchday streams, according to figures from Sky Sports. Yet, despite this reduction, United recorded an operating profit of £13m, a sharp improvement on the £7m loss posted in the same period last year. The club attributes that turnaround to aggressive cost-saving measures, including redundancies and restructuring, designed to create what CEO Omar Berrada called “a sustainably lower cost base”.

Berrada insisted the decisions, though unpopular in parts of the organisation, have “streamlined” the club and allowed continued investment in the men’s and women’s teams, who sit sixth in the Premier League and third in the WSL. United expect revenue to rise significantly over the remainder of the financial year, forecasting between £640m and £660m, a trajectory close to last year’s record-breaking £666.5m.

Crucially, the financial picture will not alter United’s January transfer plans. While the club stresses it is compliant with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules, funds remain limited, and major recruitment is likely to wait until the summer. A world-class defensive midfielder remains the priority, though targets such as Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba are expected to be pursued at the end of the season rather than in a window where prices are typically inflated.

GFN | Finn Entwistle